Google Base Javascript hacks

Google is arming itself to take on eBay -- even if they don't admit to it.  I spent some time with Google Base and confirmed a suspicion I had about a month ago.  They are going to allow users to edit their Google Base items just like they edit webpages in Google Pages.

I wrote some javascript that unveils features being planned for Google Base.  Use these scripts when you are at base.google.com/base/processstep1offer (the first page when you decide to add an item).  Between trying each of these scripts, be sure to reload the page.

Show Trogdor toolbar

javascript:function showToolBar(){ document.getElementById('d').parentNode.innerHTML = '<div id=toolbarContainer></div>' + document.getElementById('d').parentNode.innerHTML; gb_pa(); } showToolBar();

To show the Trogdor toolbar, enter the script into your address bar when you are on the processstep1offer page.  This is the toolbar that will be used to help users create HTML for their items.

Show HTML area

javascript:function showHTMLArea(){ document.getElementById('d').parentNode.innerHTML = '<div id=toolbarContainer></div>' + document.getElementById('d').parentNode.innerHTML; objWhatever=gb_pa(); objWhatever.rawHtmlDialog.show(); } showHTMLArea();

 

This script shows a HTML preview/editor window.  I'm not sure where it fits in -- probably when you click the "edit HTML" link on the toolbar found above.  This editor lets you type raw HTML and preview it.

Show link box

javascript:function ShowLinkBox(){ document.getElementById('d').parentNode.innerHTML = '<div id=toolbarContainer></div>' + document.getElementById('d').parentNode.innerHTML; objWhatever=gb_pa(); objWhatever.Wb(document.getElementById('d')); } ShowLinkBox();

 

This link box lets users add links.  When a user selects text and clicks the "link" item on the toolbar, this popup will be presented.

These are probably only a few of the hidden things we can find in the source for Google Base -- but while digging through it I seemed to keep going in circles.  If you have any luck finding more let me know, I will confirm it and post an update.

The ability to edit the HTML of Google Base items is an important step.  Users like to customize how their items appear (just like eBay) -- the addition of this feature will help the service gain wider adoption.